Expressions of Interest Invited for the AIMS National Sea Simulator
Giant ‘new’ jellyfish pops up in the northwest
A new Irukandji jellyfish has been found off the northwest coast of Western Australia – and it’s been named after WAMSI-associated scientist Dr John Keesing of CSIRO. ScienceNetwork WA reports.
Mathematicians collaborate for fish stock analysis
WAMSI researchers explore viability trade-offs in strategies to manage recreational fishing at Ningaloo. Read more in their scientific paper or via ScienceNetwork WA
New Chief Scientist of WA appointed
- Professor Peter Klinken appointed as Chief Scientist of Western Australia
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Professor Klinken is a leading Western Australian medical research scientist
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Chief Scientist provides independent scientific advice to State Government
Premier and Science Minister Colin Barnett today announced the appointment of Professor Peter Klinken as the new Chief Scientist of Western Australia.
Professor Klinken is a leading Western Australian medical research scientist and visionary leader. He is highly regarded for advancing the understanding of genes involved in leukaemia, cancer and anaemia, and his many research achievements include the discovery of a gene that supresses the growth of tumours.
Mr Barnett welcomed Professor Klinken as the new Chief Scientist and said the role provided contemporary expert advice on science to the State Government.
“The Chief Scientist provides important input to support the Government in building the State’s science industries to achieve future prosperity for West Australians,” he said.
“Professor Klinken brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm to the role and I very much look forward to working with him.”
Professor Klinken played a key role in establishing the State’s premier adult medical research institute, the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (previously the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research) in 1998.
Under his stewardship, the institute attracted world-class national and international researchers to the State and made many acclaimed medical discoveries.
Professor Klinken also spearheaded the development of two new state-of-the-art medical research facilities, Perkins North in Nedlands (QEII Medical Centre) and Perkins South in Murdoch (Fiona Stanley Hospital). Together the facilities will house more than 800 researchers.
Fact File
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For more information about Professor Peter Klinken and the role of Chief Scientist, visit http://www.dpc.wa.gov.au/SCIENCE
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Professor Bruce Hobbs AO was the inaugural Chief Scientist (2003-2006), followed by Professor Lyn Beazley AO (2006 to 2013)
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Professor Klinken’s appointment officially commences on July 1
For more information please visit the Government of Western Australia site
A new look for the IMOS Ocean Portal
Today the IMOS Marine Information team is excited to release the new look IMOS Ocean Portal. The website has had a major overhaul; redesigned to produce an Ocean Portal that is intuitive and engaging. We have improved both functionality and the user experience, so now it’s as simple as 1-2-3 to download the wealth of IMOS data available for use in marine and climate research.
For more information click here
Visit the IMOS Portal
Marine WATERs (Western Australian Teacher Education Resources)
The Department of Fisheries and Woodside have formed a joint initiative to advance marine education throughout schools in Western Australia.
Marine WATERs (Western Australian Teacher Education Resources) is an interactive and fully integrated online resource that connects educators and students with specific material to assist in the study of our unique marine ecosystems and the challenges facing the sustainability of our aquatic resources. This curriculum-based education resource includes lessons plans, interactive and extension activities, student worksheets, fact sheets and information on current and emerging issues in the marine world. There are five themed modules – ‘processes’, ‘marine biology’, ‘habitats’, ‘humans’ and ‘management’. With up to date marine education, this program will help students understand and value the diversity, complexity and beauty of the WA marine environment.
Check out the Sneak Peak area or register to unlock the full features and resources of this wonderful and educational website. http://marinewaters.fish.wa.gov.au/
The blue farm: marine biodiscovery
Anti-cancer compounds from new species of sponges and sea squirts found in Western Australia will be trialed in a breast cancer screen at the WA Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR).
Such amazing marine discoveries are part of intensive marine research programs occurring along the WA coastline.
Dr Jane Fromont is the WA Museum’s Senior Curator of Marine Invertebrates and one of the first people to see and catalogue the new marine species which arrive at her laboratory each day.
She sits at the helm of the new WA Bioresources Library – known as WAMBL, and set up as a WA Marine Science Institution project – which will store these new marine samples.
It is part of the broad marine research effort being coordinated by WAMSI to bring research results to all sections of the community, and particularly to medical research which had the capacity to create medical breakthroughs.
Dr Fromont said WAMBL had an interim access solution for drug discovery until a Biodiscovery Act was finalised for WA.
“To have legislation covering this would be our greatest wish,” she said, adding that WAMSI continued to negotiate to see the legislation introduced.
Speaking to a symposium at Fremantle today, she said medical research from new marine discoveries was leaping ahead.
“Part of that research is at UWA where the discovery of a compound from marine and estuarine bacteria that stops bacterial communication, could be used in the future to control bacterial infections,” she said.
“We hope to see the day when professionally-curated extracts can be used by State, national and international organisations.
“We house hundreds of specimens collected during the last 20 years, mostly by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the WA Museum, that can be used in biodiscovery research.
“We need to encourage the introduction of WA biotechnology legislation to improve biodiscovery research investment and exploration prospects.”
Ingredients from marine filter feeders such as sponges are already being used in cosmetics, medicine, sunscreens, antifoulants and industrial enzymes as part of a marine biotechnology industry now growing at 18 per cent a year.
New species of ray discovered at Ningaloo
A new species of stingray (pictured, photograph courtesy of Jeremy Vaudo) has been discovered by scientists at Ningaloo Marine Park.
The discovery was made during a series of dive surveys conducted as part of a Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) project led by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) working with scientists from CSIRO.
It was one of 15 collaborative research projects now in full swing across Ningaloo Marine Park involving more than 60 scientists from seven State and Federal agencies and universities.
CSIRO scientist Will White said the discovery of the ray (Neotrygon sp.) highlighted that there was still much to learn about the sharks and rays that inhabited the Ningaloo coast.
“While this species appears to occur further south in Shark Bay and possibly also off the Northern Territory, the very specific habitat occupied by this ray means that careful monitoring and management is required,” Dr White said.
“These magnificent creatures are part of the maskray family and the five that we sighted during the lagoon surveys had an average wingspan between 20cm and 40cm, so they were a lot smaller than manta rays.”
DEC marine scientist Kelly Waples said the dive surveys had documented 40 species of wharks and rays, although it was estimated that as many as 118 species of sharks and rays lived in the marine park.
“Initial results from these surveys indicate that the marine park’s shark and ray populations are healthy and benefiting from zoning designed to protect representative populations,” she said.
“Satellite tags have also been used to track large predatory tiger and hammerhead shaks to find out whether they are residents or visitors to the marine park.”
Research at Ningaloo Marine Park is adding to the scientific knowledge now being gathered by by broader marine monitoring program along the entire WA coast.
“This example of research shows how crucial science is to understanding our marine areas, which helps governments and communities make decisions about their management,” WAMSI Chief Executive Officer, Dr Steve Blake, said.
Western Australia’s Environment Minister Donna Faragher and Federal Minister Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, released media statements on the discovery today. These are attached below.
Information for this article was supplied courtesy of DEC.
First humpback whales arrive in Pender Bay, Kimberley
16 June 2010
The Western Australian Marine Science Institution kicked off the 2010 independent humpback whale survey on Thursday 10 June 2010.
In association with the Two Moons Whale and Marine Research Base, on the shores of Pender Bay, Kimberley coast, the first humpback whale was sighted at 08.24 (WST) from the cliff top location on Friday 11 June 2010.
Three observers independently verified the arrival of the first whale as part of the survey which will complete a continuous log, covering more than five hours each day, from now until early November.
Ian Dapson, a third year marine science student from Murdoch University, is the chief scientist in charge of the survey for the first six weeks and was very excited to see the first arrival in the Bay.
WAMSI thanks the Goojarr Goonyool Aboriginal Corporation for being a 2010 research partner, ensuring independent whale survey data is being collected for this part of the Kimberley coast.
Pictured below: Ian Dapson from Murdoch University, the chief scientist monitoring whale behaviour at Pender Bay.
New Chairman and CEO for WAMSI
With the departure of Dr Steve Blake in October 2012, WAMSI had been searching for a suitable replacement for a number of months. WAMSI is delighted to announce that Mr Patrick Seares has joined WAMSI as CEO from the 2nd April 2013. Patrick moved to WAMSI from the role of Director Water Assessment and Allocation at the Department of Water. There he oversaw the majority of the department’s hydrological and related environmental sciences. He was also responsible for overseeing this works translation into statutory allocation planning, and policy advice to government.
Ms Naomi Brown has taken up the role of WAMSI chairman after the departure of Dr Peter Rogers in March 2013. Naomi previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC). During that period she was a Director of the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC). She was also a Director of Mackillop Family Services in Victoria and served as the chair of the Risk and Audit Committee for that organization. We are delighted to welcome Naomi to WAMSI.